Region 3 members:

Welcome to what we hope will be an ongoing but very occasional and informal sharing of news, events, and other tidbits by and about members from ALCM's Region 3. 

Do you have news to share from your area that would be of interest to other ALCM region 3 members? Perhaps you're planning an exciting Reformation 500 event. Or maybe you discovered a great piece of music for worship. Do you have a suggestion for worship planning or recruiting members for your music ministry? Please send short bits that might be interesting or helpful to others to Linda Martin at [email protected].

Jeffrey Blersch, music professor and organist at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska and ALCM Director at Large writes:
 
One of the most rewarding aspects of my position is being able to observe and work with talented, young musicians who are eager to serve the church. A few recent highlights:
+ Laura Hedstrom (senior at Concordia University, Nebraska) wrote an arrangement of Vivaldi's Gloria specifically for use at St. John Lutheran, tailoring the arrangement for the youth and adult musicians at St. John. 
+ Mason Koeritz (senior at Concordia University, Nebraska) is an active composer of music for the church and recently had his first piece published by CPH - a children's choir arrangement of "For the Beauty of the Earth."
+ St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa has started St. Paul Lutheran Conservatory under the direction of Dr. J. Gordon Christensen and, as part of their efforts, are encouraging young musicians to serve in the church. Check out their website or follow them on Facebook.

From Joshua Lindgren, Minister of Music, Shepherd of the Lake Church, Prior Lake, Minnesota and Region 3 Vice President:
 
+ I directed the choir in an orchestrated (Craig Hawkins) rendition of John Steiner's "The Crucifixion" on Good Friday. One member came up to me the next day and said, "I've experienced 83 Good Fridays... but this one tops them all..." This comment moved me to tears!
 
+ I am trying a new "Summer Singers" choir that will meet mid-morning for rehearsals and gather together for lunch following each rehearsal for conversation and fellowship. We'll sing in worship once a month throughout the summer. This choir will hopefully engage a good number of our "Snowbirds" who aren't in town during most of the winter (aka "Choral Primetime).
 
+ I recently attended the Institute of Liturgical Studies held at Valparaiso University (this was my 5th time) and was once again refreshed and renewed by the camaraderie of colleagues and friends from the wider church (and a good many ALCM members, too)! It is an annual pilgrimage I make the week following Easter each year and could not imagine "recharging" any other way after depleting every part of my being each Holy Week/Easter.
 
+I am so excited to share the Twin Cities with as many ALCM members and friends as are able to attend our 2017 Biennial Gathering (July 11-13). I know everyone will enjoy the trips to St. Olaf and Collegeville and the many sights, restaurants, and entertainments (NLC Hymn Festival, anyone?) will delight one and all! See you in July!
From Linda Martin, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral Children's Music Director (KC, MO) and Region 3 President:
 
+ Works by ALCM composers Walter Pelz and Paul Weber are being featured in Region 3:
 
ELCA Central States Synod, located in ALCM's region 3, named Paul Weber the winner of a hymn contest for its celebration of Reformation 500. Paul's newly composed music and text, a concertato Founded on Faith, can be used by Central States congregations throughout 2017. Paul lived in St. Louis during his high school years and still has family there, where he attends St. Thomas-Holy Spirit Lutheran Church when he is visiting "home." Congratulations to Paul!
 
Walter Pelz, region 3 member, has written a setting of Tryggare kan ingen varen (Children of the Heavenly Father) for the Bethany College Choir and Director Mark Lucas (Lindsborg, Kansas) which they have adopted as their "signature" piece. In honor of the Swedish Lutheran heritage of the college and the Lindsborg community, the piece is performed in the Swedish language.
 
+ Congratulations to Peoria Bach Festival, Trinity Lutheran Church in Peoria, Illinois for a successful 15th season celebrating the amazing music of J.S. Bach! The nine day festival included 9 concerts, lectures, receptions and an educational event for children.
 
+ If you are attending the Minneapolis conference in July, I encourage you to attend our region 3 gathering on Tuesday at noontime (check the schedule for location). It will be short and sweet and mostly designed so you can connect with colleagues in your region and share what's on your mind regarding our area. Lunch will be served. I look forward to meeting with you!


Welcome New and Reinstated 
Region 3 Members
Who Have Joined since January 1

Karen A. Bartz, Edina, MN
Nathan Birkholz, Appleton, WI
Andrew Birling, Minneapolis, MN
Rev. Elisa Brandt, Minona, WI
Andrew Bruhn, Belvidere, IL
Gary B. Butler, Burnsville, MN
Diane Drollinger, St. Louis, MO
Geoff Duffy, Chicago, IL
Chris Ebke, Omaha, NE
Lee Fuchs, Minneapolis, MN
Michael Giuliani, Naperville, IL
Ray E. Gustafson, St. Paul, MN
Kathy Heyda, New Prague, MN
Joel K. Jank, Hastings, NE
Dianne Lynn Jelle, Minneapolis, MN
Cynthia Johnson, Thompson, IA
Renetta Kidder, Minneapolis, MN
Katie Anne Kohler, St. Louis Park, MN
Benjamin Kornelis, Minneapolis, MN
Joyce Larson, Golden Valley, MN
Timothy Loose, Chicago, IL
Leslie Lower, Clinton, MO
Carol Manske, Kelley, IA
Paul J. McKenzie, Hopkins, MN
Jason Meissner, Greenfield, WI
Julie Minot, Madrid, IA
Robert Murphy, North St. Paul, MN
Lori Murray, Bloomington, MN
Tim O'Shields, Albert Lea, MN
Jane Otte, Marion, IL
Marcia Richardson, Pekin, IL
Vivian Rindelaub, Alexandria, MN
Charles Russell, Luxemburg, WI
John S. Setterlund, Little Canada, MN
 Paul Soulek, Seward, NE
Ruth Sprengeler, Saint Cloud, MN
Andrew Steinberg, Moorhead, MN
Jared Stiek, Janesville, WI
Beau Surratt, Evanston, IL
W. Zachary Taylor, Richfield, MN
Nancy Wales, Rochester, MN
Rev. Kris Ann Zierke, Seneca, IL